Junior guard led Liberty to the Class 5A state championship game.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school basketball. America's source for high school sports
continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 season by naming the
top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and
individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Dedan Thomas of
Liberty (Henderson) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Nevada High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior guard led the Patriots to a 21-10 record and the Class 5A state title game.
Thomas averaged 23.0 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 81 percent from free throw line this season. He scored a career-high 33 points twice.
A key contributor on last year's state championship team, Thomas has scored over 1,000 points the past two seasons. He is currently regarded as the No. 24 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports.
Darrion Williams of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) was the 2021-22 Nevada Player of the Year. Currently a freshman at the University of Nevada, Wiliams averaged 15.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and four steals to help the Gaels reach the state title game.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for
inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in
April. Past selections include 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony
Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson
(2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016)
and Zion Williamson (2018).
Four-star junior Dedan Thomas averaged 23.0 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds this season. (Photo: Dave Argyle)
